Maritza never fails to demonstrate the ICARE values of service to our Veterans. Although a book could be written pertaining to the high standard of care demonstrated by this nurse, I would like to focus on a couple of specific incidences that prompted the writing of this recommendation.
It should be noted that she provides nursing care for Veterans admitted to the Stepdown Unit at SAVAHCS. Recently she and another nurse were transporting a Veteran from their unit to another unit. After they completed the SBAR with the in-take representative I inquired with her regarding a couple of patients on her unit for whom I was scheduled to see later in the day. She was forthcoming and provided excellent and pertinent information on both of the patients. I commented on my good fortune to have come across the nurse assigned to those patients, to which she responded, "no, the first Veteran is assigned to nurse X, and the second, to nurse Y." I asked if she was the charge nurse, she was not. Then I inquired how she knew so much regarding the patients in question, her response was remarkable and requires special notice. "I work in Stepdown Unit, although not assigned, they are still all my patients." Needless to say, I was rather dumbfounded at such a stellar and yet unusual response.
Then, mind you we are still on the other unit, a patient alarm sounded down the hall. In spite of many other nurses being present, Maritza, without hesitation, charged to the quarters where the alarm was sounding. Of course, like lemmings, I and others followed suit. She was first to the room, which just happened to require contact isolation gear. I don't know how she did it, but in the split-second period of time, it took her to get to the patient she had a contact isolation gown positioned in such a manner that allowed her to quickly attend to a high fall risk patient who was attempting to get to the bathroom without assistance. She immediately stabilized the situation and calmed the patient necessary for back-up to arrive. Her rapid and skilled response allowed me and others the time necessary to fumble with our gear and then provide additional assistance.
It is reasonable to hope that all nurses would perform as described; however, it is not expected and it is surely not typical. As a final note, when I described and complimented her on her distinguished actions, in her own humble manner, she responded with a smile and said, "thank you, that is encouraging."